News - Middle East: Regional analysts say the widening split between Saudi Arabia and the UAE is now driving instability across Yemen, Sudan, and Red Sea states. Political analyst Talib al-Hassani said the rift stems from “fundamental failures” in the Saudi project and aggressive Emirati intervention that reshaped the battlefield and political scene.

He explained that both sides now support rival factions inside Yemen, turning the “Riyadh Agreement” into a symbol of division. Al-Hassani also pointed to contrasting Saudi and Emirati positions in Sudan, noting that Hemeti’s attempted coup revealed clear Emirati backing while Saudi Arabia adopted a more cautious approach.

According to al-Hassani, the US continues to play a role that “manages conflict rather than resolves it,” contributing to fragmentation in Sudan, the Red Sea corridor, and the wider Horn of Africa.

He warned that the Saudi–Emirati rivalry has far-reaching humanitarian consequences, fueling instability for millions in Yemen and Sudan.

Since the early years of the war on Yemen, tensions between Saudi Arabia and the UAE have steadily increased. What began as tactical disagreements has evolved into a full political, military, and economic rivalry. Their competition has since spilled into Yemen’s occupied areas, Sudan’s conflict zones, and parts of the Horn of Africa, creating overlapping spheres of influence. Analysts argue that this growing divide is reshaping the regional balance of power and complicating efforts to resolve ongoing conflicts.